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The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to oversee the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the upcoming over-the-shoulder roguelike extraction-shooter known as this innovative game.

Management Change Follows Mixed Response

The new appointee takes on the role of studio head at the development studio following the dismissal of former leader Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's underwhelming initial reveal last fall.

On Wednesday, 2K president David Ismailer updated employees about this organizational change through an internal memo, which highlighted that playtesting had shown the requirement for a clearer vision.

The president expressed that the team is now refining Project Ethos with a refreshed vision, aiming to better meet player expectations.

A Pattern of Strategic Hires

The news mirrors a similar step taken by the publisher in August, when they recruited an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the entire message from the president's communication:

Hello Everyone—

I understand you all just completed your gathering - I hope you’re as excited as I am with the positive developments. Previously I shared you all a message, I stated the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most motivated and talented designers we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that partnership to persist.”

Through your commitment and versatility, particularly over the last year, you consistently demonstrate that.

The player input from last fall’s the game testing phase was revealing. It validated the appeal of a roguelike shooter but made clear we still had work to do. It revealed the requirement for a clearer identity.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve progressed. You took the feedback to mind and overhauled the title with a refreshed vision - one that’s ready to deliver on its potential to our fans.

The trust in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the incredible progress you’ve made, I’m excited to welcome Ben Brinkman as the new Director of the team. After some time of talks, Ben starts with us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s guidance and background in the competitive gaming genre is extensive, having spent the last 15 years creating and overseeing some of the most recognizable series in gaming, including Call of Duty: Black Ops, and more recently, Apex Legends.

Let’s together in welcoming him soon. We are all looking forward to keep observing the progress of the game in the time to ahead.

The President

Background of the New Head

Brinkman currently serves in the role of executive producer and head of production at the renowned studio for Apex Legends. He previously was employed at major gaming companies in various development positions on the iconic franchise series, and, earlier in his career, had periods at other industry leaders.

Title Information and Concept

Project Ethos was revealed in last year in conjunction with a community playtest. Then, the developers presented the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an thrilling step forward on the style."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in real-time to match your preferred approach," the official summary explains. "Take on the rivals with unique powers, challenges, and obstacles that evolve every round. Will you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Or go big, put it on the line, and pray your group can achieve the highest spot? The choice is in your hands."

The game has not yet received an confirmed debut schedule or platforms, but players can expect further news as creation progresses.